Duron Carter remains popular with Saskatchewan Roughriders fans

Duron Carter is no longer a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but he continues to reign over the Queen City.

The personable wide receiver/defensive back on Tuesday made his first public appearance in Regina since being released Saturday by the CFL team. He was at Cade and Coda Style Lounge as part of promotional appearance with PAYL, a Regina-based clothing line.

A number of Riders fans took in the event and seized the opportunity to meet Carter. Most were still surprised that he was released after nearly a season and a half in Saskatchewan.

“I was shocked and disappointed because he was by far our best player,” said Regina’s Kevin Wessing. “I came out to support him. He’s also my son (Hunter’s) favourite player so he had one last chance to meet him. I’ve come across (Carter) before and he stopped and gave us autographs. I don’t have anything bad to say about him.”

Carter impressed Alexis Losie while watching Riders games from her seat in Section 136 at Mosaic Stadium. That’s why she took advantage of the opportunity meet him.

“(Carter) was the first player that I was going to make my fan favourite,” Losie said. “I was going to make Chad Owens that because I liked his personality and attitude plus his skills. Duron just stood out for what he does on the field and a glimpse into what his life is like outside of (football) through social media.

“He was one of the players who has been open with that and you see a lot of his positive influence throughout the community. He has featured locally owned restaurants that have been here for a long time. He showcases some of the smaller well-known spots and he became part of the city while he was here. We will miss him.”

Carter was vacationing in Montreal during the Riders’ bye week when Chris Jones, Saskatchewan’s head coach and general manager, called to tell him he had been cut.

While meeting with the media Sunday, Jones didn’t provide specifics on why Carter was released while meeting with the media. Jones simply said the Riders were going in “a different direction” without Carter.

Carter has moved on since the 30-second phone call. He said Tuesday that he has had discussions with representatives from the Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and B.C. Lions.

Now a free agent, he has talked individually with the general manager of each team.

“My agent (Impact Sport’s Mitch Frankel) does the contract and I do the regular talking to the GMs,” Carter said. “Teams want to talk to me because for a lot of coaches and general managers it’s their first time talking to me.

“My last free agency, I knew where I wanted to go as soon I was cut from Montreal. Coach Jones called me and said they wanted me in Saskatchewan. Now it’s nice to see what other GMs have to offer and what their personalities are like.”

Carter said most of the discussion with general managers has focused on him primarily as a wide receiver. He started the 2018 season at that position, but played five games at defensive back while rookie Nick Marshall was on the six-game injured list.

Carter, 27, started at slotback (another new position) in a 26-19 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on Aug. 2. He had three receptions for 59 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown catch. as the Riders’ record fell to 3-4.

“For the most part, the defensive back stuff is over,” said Carter, who returned two interceptions for touchdowns — one this year and one in 2017 — in his stints as a defensive back.

Carter added that he’s “close” to reaching a deal.

“It’s really about feeling comfortable and seeing what’s going on with the league,” Carter said. “It would be nice to see how this week shapes up. It doesn’t take me long to memorize playbooks and I take pride in that. I’m in good shape and any team that I do go to, I will be ready to go.”

The Riders are to return to practice on Wednesday. Their next game is Sunday against the Calgary Stampeders (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).

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